Torn (Demon Kissed #3) by H.M. Ward Page A

fear mingled too violently within me to say much. Instead, I just glared at him. The dragon rolled his eyes, and nodded his head towards something.
    Agitated, I turned to see what he was gesturing at and felt my heart slide into my toes. There in the darkness I saw someone sitting on a large stone. Dread pooled within me as I recognized the curve of his back, and the slant of his shoulder. I knew who it was before stepping closer.
    Collin.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    The bond tightened with proximity to him. Damn dragon. I glanced sharply at the huge beast, angry at it for bringing me here. He was Kreturus’ dragon for sure. Why else would he do this to me?
    Hesitation, anger, and terror were mixing in my veins as I stood behind Collin. I knew he could sense me, and I knew he was the one who told the dragon to grab me. Part of me was elated that Collin was sitting there, perfect and alive—like before. But so much had changed since he held me in his arms. And now things were screwed up beyond repair.
    Slowly, I shifted my foot forward. Collin kept his back to me, not seeming to realize I was there, which was odd since I sensed him as soon as the dragon tossed me off his back. I would have sensed Collin sooner, but I was kind of overwhelmed by that whole flying thing. Damn dragon. I glanced back to see where the beast was, but there was no sign of him. It was just me and Collin alone in the dimly lit cavern. The noise of grackles screeched in the distance, but the area around us was still. We were the only ones here.
    As I approached him, I wondered when Collin would sense me. When would he turn around and try to convince me that he wasn’t Kreturus? Would he be different and change the way Eric changed? I couldn’t bear that thought. Collin’s lightness, his playful nature, and his intensity were the things that drew me to him. His loyalty was the reason we were friends—that and he made me feel like I could survive whatever life threw at me. In a sea of storms, Collin had been my rock. But now…what was he? There was only one way to find out.
    Collin didn’t turn as I moved slowly toward him. Tension built in my muscles, and I wondered if I was going insane. Why was I approaching him? He didn’t see me. I could have run off without him noticing, but something made me hesitate. I couldn’t say exactly what it was; something about the angle of his downcast gaze or the slump of his shoulders. Whatever the reason, something was wrong. Somehow he failed to notice his own dragon. That seemed impossible. How could he not see something the size of a truck? All the while, the bond was doing weird things inside of me - stirring, pulling, calming - and he sat there like he didn’t notice. Surely it was doing all those things to him too. Surely he could feel my thoughts only a few paces behind him, but he never turned around.
    Silently, I stood behind him. His silken brown hair shone in the dim rusty light. My fingers reached out to touch his shoulder, but I hesitated. Right then Collin gasped, and turned so fast that I didn’t see exactly what happened. It was as if his senses were delayed. He had to know I was there. My scent wasn’t shrouded, the bond wasn’t silent, and any normal person would have noticed a chick standing an inch behind him—but Collin didn’t. He didn’t notice me until my finger was nearly on his shoulder. When he rounded on me, he had no idea who I was. Recognition didn’t flash before his eyes as he grabbed my arm and threw me into the wall. I shrieked and tumbled back against the rock, nearly losing my footing.
    If someone threw me like that a year ago, I would have cracked a rib, cried, and fallen to the floor. But not now. I staggered and regained my footing before springing at him. Arms extended I launched myself at him and shoved him hard while screaming. I was angry, so angry. My emotions erupted out of my mouth in screams. “What the hell did you